Category Archives: Neil Gaiman

May 21 2012

Dr. Neil Gaiman…that’s what, Writing day, PNW Grayness, Next Roadtrip, and What You Must Promise to Read

Dr. Neil Gaiman. Has a nice ring to it doesn’t it? Well, this author has delivered a commencement speech to future artist of the world that is both informative and chocked full of artistic wisdom that anyone who creates or is inspired to create should watch, listen to, and learn from. I am inspired by Neil as a writer. His speech encourages artist that no matter what, make art. His examples tickle the imagination. And when he said this in the video that follows, I instantly thought of Stephen King. Why? When I read his book On Writing, he wanted to write while in a body cast after a car accident. This image, this sense of devotion to craft has never left me. It is etched indelibly in my mind for all times, and now Neil has added the caption, Make Art! no matter what. Two of the most powerful statements on writing that a writer can ask for. So, aspiring artists at all levels, watch this, take notes, and learn from a masterful writer.

Yes, it’s very good to be Mr. Gaiman. Now he’s gone and won the Ray Bradbury award for his Dr. Who episode. The man lives a charmed life, but his talent as a writer is transcendent. I’m glad he’s getting the recognition he so justly deserves.

It is a great writing day here in the PNW. Gray overcast skies, occasional showers, yes, perfect. The sun isn’t shining, the warm wind isn’t blowing, and there is nothing beckoning me to the great outdoors, which in the Pacific Northwest, is indeed pretty great. Instead I’m as content as a rabbit in its warren. Writing, organizing, getting ideas, revising… the recursive process that is writing. Some days are fruitful, and some days I may as well be taking my muse for a walk.

Yesterday was dim sum with a group, and it was pretty terrific for restaurant food. Next weekend is my annual May road trip to Seattle’s Folklife Festival. This usually includes a trip to Pike Place Market, a Mariner’s Game, and dancing/enjoying the events at Folklife which includes my annual strawberry shortcake. This year I’m also including a trip to Victoria, B.C. as it is about time that I go instead of continuing to say that I want to go someday. Someday is here. There will be pictures to follow and a journal of this adventure.

I am reading The War of Art by Steven Pressfield as an eBook. I have bookmarked and highlighted something on just about every page! Writers…it is a must read, seriously, just do it! It was recommended to me, and I continue to be thankful for this book. It knocks down barriers that you’re not even aware of until you read this. Very personal, insightful, informative book on what it means to be a writer and how to keep writing.

I have blogged.

Jun 25 2011

Wits on MPR: Must see

So Wits on MPR…totally made my evening. I started watching due to my long time fan girl adoration for children and adult author Neil Gaiman and his amazing hair and went to places I never expected. There is a reading by Neil from American Gods, there’s the “who is that monster” game…speaking of which I had no idea that Emily Dickson was one of them! There’s also an interviewy part with good tidbits on story writing (always love those author moments!!) and then a brass band with Neil singing. So.much.fun! And it just keeps going! Here’s the link. The embed wasn’t working. The moderator, John Moe, is a Pacific Northwesterner who wants to believe in Bigfoot. We like right away, right? So go. see. enjoy. It is an amazing variety show. They know how to have a good time in Minnesota. You’ll not want to miss Mythbusters Adam Savage singing “I will survive” as Gollum. It is hysterical! It’s at 2:19:14, begins with some conversation, and then with gusto and moxie, he sings. Oh Lordy, it’s funny! Then Neil reads his poem “The Day the Saucers Came” which makes it perfect because he is reading his own work. It is a magical suspension of time like particles floating about. Anyway…it’s a must see if you enjoy really good entertainment.

Jul 12 2009

Neil Gaiman’s Newbery Award Speech & Smoked Sockeye Salmon

This evening was an exciting literary moment. I and countless others followed as the faithful tweeted Neil Gaiman’s Newbery Award winning speech at A.L.A. Oh my, it was good! Thanks to a talented Harper-Collins person and quick typing librarians, the poignant moments of his speech were tweeted to those of us online to encourage him through Twitter and enjoy his speech. He was wonderful. He tweeted photos from his seat (which has to be a Newbery first!) and was very articulate in his speech.

These are from a wonderful person at Harper-Collins who tweeted poignant moments from Neil’s speech.

“I was expected to choose sides between the books that are popular and the books that are good for you. But I always have been and always will be on the side of books that that you love.”

“Sometimes fiction is a way of coping with the poison of the world.”

“Live your life, the pain and pleasure- leave no path untaken”

“Reading is important, books are important, librarians are important, but libraries are not childcare facilities.”

I was overcome with the personal attention he gave to this speech but should have expected nothing less. I suppose that’s why I hung on every tweet to see what he had to say. It’s a long journey from beginnings to Newbery. Of course it would be a lovely, endearing speech. His honesty and sincerity made this a testimony of an author’s journey and definitely a moment to remember. Hopefully it will be up on YouTube soon so I can watch it in its entirety. I will link it here when it becomes available. He’s an amazing author who has opened up his world through technology to his legions of fans, many of whom, like me, are teachers and interested in writing. Thank you, Neil and attendees, for the author’s birdseye view of the Newbery experience and for keeping us in the loop during your speech.

Other than this! it has been a stay home day, very leisurely kind of day. I smoked some salmon on the grill, enough to last for quite some time, and had some for dinner. It was the fresh sockeye from Alaska that I picked up at the market. Gorgeous fillets! Merlin and I went for a few walks today. The last one was blowing up a storm. Looks like we’ll get some rain tonight. I could see it beginning to fall across the valley at dusk.

Well, I’m yawning myself into quite a tizzy. So I should say goodnight before I find myself just staring at the screen and yawning. Goodnight and sweet dreams to all.

-Patricia

Jun 13 2009

A Day to Remember and Neil Gaiman on Writing

Today was my day to go to Yakama for my National Board exam, the last part of National Boards. I had everything but my photo id. Seems I left home without it at 4:30 a.m. and discovered I didn’t have it as I approached Yakama. That makes me so human doesn’t it!  So I turned around and came home. Two and half hour drive. Oh well. Nothing else I could do.

I was hoping to see wild horses in the Yakama Hills but none were around at that hour of the morning. Still sleeping somewhere. That bugged me more than not being ready for the test. It was wonderful being out so early on a new morning. I drove through miles of forest that were so fragrant in the morning. The smell of sage and laurel were intoxicating. Then the rolling Yakama hills. It still amuses me how quickly you can go from forest to desert in this state. It’s minutes. Watching the landscape change from timberland to desert is an experience unlike any other. Trees disappear and are replaced with sage and desert plants. I’ll be rescheduling my test for another day which will give me another chance to photograph the wild horses of the Yakama Hills.

A little something on writing for you. This one is Neil Gaiman on writing. Although it says it’s for young writers, it’s applicable for all writers, I think. Wish more authors made videos like these for the public, especially aspiring writers.

Jan 31 2009

Writing, Responsible Reporting, What Kids Like, and Code of Ethics

A long day that I have given to others has finally ended.  I’m drained but arrive home to find another writing job, a ghost writing job of a memoir, ten chapters, in my email queue.  Some people would run from this screaming all the way, but not me.  That’s what makes me a different sort.  I’ll see what the offer looks like and go from there.

I’m thinking I’ll dream of karma visiting a reporter who writes nasty things surrounding the success of Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book. My students read it, loved it, and they recommend it to their friends.  They developed a real affection for Bod.  And me…I love the Danse Macabre chapter.  I think that was the best chapter I have ever read in a book.  It was so concise, and its development was superb.  And as an English major, English teacher, one who loves to read (obviously), and write (also obvious), I’ve read a lot of books, both classical and contemporary.

With all due respects to credible reporters, the one who reported that librarians didn’t like this book is due for a career change.  He suggests that librarians are overly critical and essentially frothing at the mouth because this book received a Newbery Award which I suggest is irresponsible journalism.  This article merely indicates the writer’s “snark-astic” viewpoint and own bias.  To see this reporter’s response, tiny…click here.

I’ve read where Neil Gaiman says kids like stories that are a bit scary, and he is absolutely right.  They do not fixate over death, murder, or the stalking of a serial killer.  They know it’s not real and enjoy the development of the story..the adventure..the wide-eyed “then what happened.”  This book’s themes of family, love, friendship, and trust make this a very appropriate book for children.  Adults will enjoy reading it, too.  If  you want to see an example of responsible journalism and read a great article, may I suggest this article from Publisher’s Weekly instead.  See anyone can write, but not everyone can write well or responsibly.

This reminds me of the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics.  Journalist should adhere to this code of ethics to remain credible and responsible as journalistic writers.  But when journalistic writers stray from “the code,” you, the reading public, get unreliable rubbish.  The reason for “the code” is to avoid getting journalist who simply make things up like this guy.

I’m falling asleep, so it’s time to say g’night world.  Sweet dreams.

-Patricia

February 2, 2009 at 7:42 pm · Edit

I’m so sad I didn’t discover Neil Gaiman when I was just a kid. He would’ve opened up whole new worlds of creativity to me that I didn’t even think were allowed to be children’s stories hehe

xalwaysdreamx

It’s never too late to become who you really are.  Read what you want, love what you want, and write what you want.  If you’re interested in writing, the literary age of reason is fifty.  Many great writers were published at or after fifty. So it’s never too late.

Blessings,

-Patricia

Jan 26 2009

The Newbery Award!!

The very nice, very likable, and very talented Mr. Neil Gaiman (applause, applause) is now the recipient of the Newbery Award.  I read The Graveyard Book, and I agree.  It’s a lovely book with important themes such as the importance of family, loss, and friendship.   I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.  That familiar blue cover will now have a beautiful gold seal on it which means a quality book inside.    Congratulations, Mr. Gaiman.  This award is well-deserved.  There should also be one for most caring dog lover.  He should get that one, too, for his dedication to the convalescing Cabal the dog.

Well, it’s getting late. Snuggle in and dream deep!  It’s 6 degrees outside!

-Patricia